India’s Devadasis Trapped in Cycle of Poverty and Sex Work

India’s Devadasis Trapped in Cycle of Poverty and Sex Work

“When a devadasi is abandoned and doesn’t find a new patron, she may have to look after her parents as well as her children, and can wind up in extreme poverty. According to the Bangalore-based NGOSampark, which helps devadasis become financially self-sufficient, many give up this traditional system to move into commercial sex work in large cities.“